For instance, if you are going to be working on a magazine using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign... you could have those 3 items, along with any other handy graphics tools, categorized for quick access. I don't know about you guys, but rarely do I open a 40MB graphic in Photoshop, have a large vector file open and try to work in InDesign all at once. Adobe products are too memory hungry and they get sluggish even on the best machines.

I'm doing this ALL the time! Oh wait, I am working on a magazine... I believe this is what's happening when you're working on print vs web design. Really, all that you need is the more RAM you can afford...

I have to admit that I have tried it in the past, but as pretty as Overflow is, this one is not for me. Too much mouse clicks to get what you want IMHO. I much prefer LaunchBar or Quicksilver for launching apps. But I can see why people might like it...

I've been using Overflow for a number of years now, and I have always found it really easy to use. I installed Quicksilver, and in comparison I guess for opening applications, Quicksilver would serve the keyboard crowd while Overflow serves the gui crowd.

Both programs require at least two steps to starting a program: a way of opening them (click on icon for Overflow, hotkeys for Quicksilver) and selecting the program to run. In Overflow you click on the icon, and it runs. In Quicksilver, you type a key or two, then hit return. If your looking for time savers, I guess it all depends on how quick you are with the keyboard or mouse.

I understand that Quicksilver can do a bunch of other things, most of which are way beyond my abilities to utilize, so for me it's about a 50/50 split in usefulness. I use whichever suits my fancy at the moment.

There are 10 types of people in the world:Those who read binary; and those who don't.

I've been using Overflow for a number of years now, and I have always found it really easy to use. I installed Quicksilver, and in comparison I guess for opening applications, Quicksilver would serve the keyboard crowd while Overflow serves the gui crowd.

Both programs require at least two steps to starting a program: a way of opening them (click on icon for Overflow, hotkeys for Quicksilver) and selecting the program to run. In Overflow you click on the icon, and it runs. In Quicksilver, you type a key or two, then hit return. If your looking for time savers, I guess it all depends on how quick you are with the keyboard or mouse.

I understand that Quicksilver can do a bunch of other things, most of which are way beyond my abilities to utilize, so for me it's about a 50/50 split in usefulness. I use whichever suits my fancy at the moment.

You can hide overflow from the dock and trigger it with a hotkey. This looks like a good way to launch my games, since a lot of them are in folders or subfolders and I can easily put them all together.

what's sad is like webbla, this will die with snow leopard's new stacks. I love it for now though

I still don't see how this replaces stacks. You can have Applications in subfolders or subfolders of subfolders, so just bringing up a stack view of Applications isn't the same as having a quick menu of the actual app icons themselves (no matter where they are on the filesystem) to click on.

Besides, I don't use stacks, but I still am finding this useful for launching apps I don't use all the time (and games) that don't sit in my dock.

For instance, if you are going to be working on a magazine using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign... you could have those 3 items, along with any other handy graphics tools, categorized for quick access. I don't know about you guys, but rarely do I open a 40MB graphic in Photoshop, have a large vector file open and try to work in InDesign all at once. Adobe products are too memory hungry and they get sluggish even on the best machines.

I'm doing this ALL the time! Oh wait, I am working on a magazine... I believe this is what's happening when you're working on print vs web design. Really, all that you need is the more RAM you can afford...

I have to admit that I have tried it in the past, but as pretty as Overflow is, this one is not for me. Too much mouse clicks to get what you want IMHO. I much prefer LaunchBar or Quicksilver for launching apps. But I can see why people might like it...

I don't like QuickSilver at all.

But that's why there are so many different apps... to fit the needs of different people.

It surprised me that this app survived after Leopard came with stacks...I used it in the past but currently mostly lauch apps from the dock and those less often used with QS.

But thanks anyway, I can understand that for a lot this app is very useful and it looks still very good...

The advantage that Overflow has over Stacks is that it affords you more fine-grained organization over your apps that Stacks do. For instance, if you've configured a Stack as a Grid, you still can't organize your apps into subcategories the way you can in Overflow.

You also can't summon up that Grid with a hotkey - by far Overflow's killer feature. When used in combination with an add-on like USB Overdrive and a multi-button mouse it's a great way to quickly get at groups of apps.

I see Overflow as being somewhere between the Finder and QS/LaunchBar; I use QS/LaunchBar for my most used apps, while I use Overflow for apps which are important but aren't nearly used as often as my other apps. They're still important enough to be on my Dock, but putting them in Overflow puts them in easy reach while minimizing dock clutter.

I have been using Overflow since I bought my first Mac. I love it and don't want to ever go without it.

Mr Developer, when you get here... I would like to make 1 suggestion. I would love for the preferences to sync across my machines. MobileMe integration or just prefs sync... anything that will make my Overflow on all 3 machines the same.

Hi! We would like to add syncing in the future - we have to figure out how to handle a lot of weird situations first, since all three of your machines are probably not identical, and some items stored in Overflow on one machine might not exist, or might be in a different location, on another machine.

Thanks for the suggestion!

ModOps wrote:

I've been using DragThing for more than two years now, and although I'm still playing with an unlicensed version of Overflow and I can't set any Preferences...

You should be able to access the preferences even before you register the software - and adjust all kinds of settings including icon sizes and spacings. If you want, send an email to support at stuntsoftware.com so that we can work why you aren't able to access the preferences.

CraftyHeist wrote:

does anyone have any hints/suggestions on how this is better than a simple folder?]

Overflow certainly won't be for everyone, and that's fine. There are a few reasons that I personally like using Overflow over Leopard's stacks feature:

• The layout of items is completely chosen by me, so I get to pick exactly where I want each item to appear.• Using multiple Categories in Overflow saves Dock space over having multiple folders in the Dock.• I use a keyboard shortcut (control-space) to bring up Overflow, which can't be done with Stacks.• Overflow doesn't require you to organize your files into folders in the Finder to have them appear in a group.• Since the interface can be fully customized, I can change the appearance to suit my tastes.

Also, I should note that Overflow does use a very small amount of RAM - just under 15 MB on my machine where it's been running for days.

CraftyHeist wrote:

A keyboard shortcut for 'open all' would be useful for me.

Good idea - expect to see that in a future update!

delano wrote:

Both programs require at least two steps to starting a program: a way of opening them (click on icon for Overflow, hotkeys for Quicksilver) and selecting the program to run. In Overflow you click on the icon, and it runs. In Quicksilver, you type a key or two, then hit return. If your looking for time savers, I guess it all depends on how quick you are with the keyboard or mouse.

You can actually launch items in Overflow using just the keyboard. Use a hot key to bring up Overflow, type a couple of letters of an application's name or use the arrow keys to select an item, then press enter or the spacebar to launch the item. Of course, Quicksilver has some very different functionality and intended usage, so it's hard to directly compare the applications.

nutmac wrote:

I, too, have yet to receive license in the email (it's been about 12 hours or so).

For anyone having similar trouble, write to support at stuntsoftware.com and let me know the email address you have registered with MacHeist so that I can check to see if your license was generated and sent out.

I somehow can't really get why Overflow is still available.In Tiger it was my Stack-Alternative. Now on Leopard I have the Stacks. For what is Overflow now good? ...

I use stack for document (not Documents) folders only, and I had a folder of aliases for apps, but I didn't like that, now Overflow has those apps in it, as well persistent background apps, or apps whose icon don't need to be on my Dock while they are running. (like Mark/Space for BlackBerry, Fresh, Twitterriffic, and Aduim) Between this, Stacks and Quicksilver my Dock is looking more and more svelte.

This is one of the indispensable apps from MHII. I use this every day. It's different from using Stacks, because it's customizable. Not only can I group applications in submenus, but I can also group like applications together inside that submenu. For instance, I keep Word, and Excel together, Pages and Numbers together, iCal and Address Book together in their respective submenus. It's more efficient for me to group applications into submenus, and also to group the applications inside those submenus together. I just love this app.

does anyone have any hints/suggestions on how this is better than a simple folder?]

Overflow certainly won't be for everyone, and that's fine. There are a few reasons that I personally like using Overflow over Leopard's stacks feature:

• The layout of items is completely chosen by me, so I get to pick exactly where I want each item to appear.• Using multiple Categories in Overflow saves Dock space over having multiple folders in the Dock.• I use a keyboard shortcut (control-space) to bring up Overflow, which can't be done with Stacks.• Overflow doesn't require you to organize your files into folders in the Finder to have them appear in a group.• Since the interface can be fully customized, I can change the appearance to suit my tastes.

Also, I should note that Overflow does use a very small amount of RAM - just under 15 MB on my machine where it's been running for day s.

Mmmm, using 32MB on mine just after installation (10.4.11)

I can definitely see the advantages of this now after using it for a few hours. Basically if my fingers are on my keyboard I'll use quicksilver/launchbar and if i'm holding my mouse (or I've forgotten the apps name) I'll use overflow triggered by a mouse button.

Has anyone not gotten their activation email after 24 hours from requesting the license? Its been 24 hours (obviously I just said that ) and still no email. Confirmed the email, its my primary, and its correct with MH. Checked spam folders, not there. Checked Entourage spam folders not there, checked the Gmail spam folder in the Gmail web interface, not there. Anyone have any suggestions? The license link is gone now. MH Staffers, any help?

Has anyone not gotten their activation email after 24 hours from requesting the license? Its been 24 hours (obviously I just said that ) and still no email. Confirmed the email, its my primary, and its correct with MH. Checked spam folders, not there. Checked Entourage spam folders not there, checked the Gmail spam folder in the Gmail web interface, not there. Anyone have any suggestions? The license link is gone now. MH Staffers, any help?

I have used Overflow since the last MacHeist and I love it. I use it everyday, just find it easier to keep all the apps/games from the Heists in one place to see if I want to keep them or zap them. My desktop is much nicer and clean too.

I would be interested in finding an answer to whether or not we can gift this to another Mac user as I already own this app?

I knoe I have said this before, but for me, trying to go with OS features as much as possible, Spotlight is a PERFECT app launcher. It was a little too slow in Tiger, but since Leopard times it works great. I've tried Overflow again and again, but I just don't see any advantages...

I dont think Overflow suited my needs... I want an app that would make me visually see all of my applications... Sure I could just go to my applications folder, but the extra time and effort to go there isn't something I approve of...And I am tired of putting my whole Applications folder as a stack... It is simply overwhelming too...

I want to organize my apps according to use, but I don't want to organize them in folders in the Applications folder...

I think Overflow covered half of the real deal I needed (ability to sort apps according to use), but I want a more simpler way to run my apps... Like, full keyboard shortcuts, etc. Hehe.

It's cute, IMO, but not overly useful if you have QS or LaunchBar. Someone said if they have their mouse in hand then it might be faster than QS, but wouldn't you havd have to be on the keyboard anyway, to activate it? Don't get me wrong, I think it's an interesting idea, but over questionable value.

Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

It's cute, IMO, but not overly useful if you have QS or LaunchBar. Someone said if they have their mouse in hand then it might be faster than QS, but wouldn't you havd have to be on the keyboard anyway, to activate it? Don't get me wrong, I think it's an interesting idea, but over questionable value.

I have a keyboard shortcut set to open overflow and then I have this shortcut applied to one of the additional buttons on my Logitech mouse. I can then open overflow with one click. I have the other two additional buttons defined to scroll through my categories meaning I can control overflow without taking my hand off the mouse, and pretty quickly too.

Is it possible to assign overflow to a screen corner? I'm using a MacBook Pro so I can't customize mouse buttons, and I use Launchbar, so I see no reason to hit a keyboard shortcut and go back down to the mousepad.

Okay... Overflow is working very well for me now. Just a couple of user tidbits:- my hotkey is ^ESC (Control + Escape) for very convenient quick access! (and no conflicts)- I created a Category called "MacHeist 3" so my GOODIES are at close-hand!

Use Denny's DropBox Link >CLICK HERE! Because I need extra some space - The Final Frontier!

I've wanted this app since I started here in MacHeist. I missed it and felt I could do a lot with it. But now, using Leopard, I'm sorry to say that I can't find much use for it...and that's a shame because it's a very nice app. Maybe I'll gift it to a friend or something...

Is it possible to assign overflow to a screen corner? I'm using a MacBook Pro so I can't customize mouse buttons, and I use Launchbar, so I see no reason to hit a keyboard shortcut and go back down to the mousepad.